How to Learn Electronic Music
Contents
A beginner’s guide to learning electronic music. This guide covers the basics of electronic music production, composition, and performance.
Introduction
Electronic music is a genre of music that is produced using electronic instruments and technology. It is a broad genre that includes a wide range of subgenres, including dance music, techno, house, ambient, and experimental.
Despite its popularity, electronic music can be difficult to learn if you are not familiar with the basic concepts and terminology. This guide will introduce you to the basics of electronic music and help you get started learning about this fascinating genre.
The Different Types of Electronic Music
Electronic music can be broadly divided into two categories: club music and experimental music. Club music is what you would hear in a typical nightclub, while experimental music includes genres like IDM, ambient, and glitch. In this article, we’ll focus on the latter.
Techno
Techno is a form of electronic dance music that was developed in Detroit, Michigan in the 1980s. The genres roots can be traced back to the city’s African-American and Latino communities, who were experimenting with electronic music in the clubs of the time. Techno is typically characterized by a repetitive 4/4 beat, synthesizer melodies, and effects processed through filters and delays.
Dubstep
Dubstep is a type of electronic dance music that originated in London in the late 1990s. It is characterized by a repetitive four-on-the-floor beat, simple drum patterns, and heavy basslines. The style often features syncopated rhythms, sparse melodies, and vocal sampling.
Dubstep emerged as a subgenre of UK garage music in the early 2000s. It was initially influenced by 2-step and grime, and later grew to incorporate elements of drum and bass, house, and dub. The name “dubstep” is thought to refer to the genre’s association with dub reggae music.
The first dubstep tracks were released on white label vinyl 12″ singles in 2002. These early tracks were produced by artists such as Horsepower Productions, Benga, and Artwork. In 2003, commercial dubstep releases began to appear on record labels such as Tempa, Big Apple Records, and Soul Jazz Records.
The popularity of dubstep grew in the early 2010s, thanks in part to the success of major label releases from artists such as Skream, Burial, and Modestep. In 2011, “screwgaze” producer James Blake released his self-titled debut album, which was well-received by critics and helped to further increase the popularity of dubstep. In 2012, electronic musician Benga retired from producing dubstep due to creative differences with his label; he cited a desire to experiment with other genres as the primary reason for his departure.
Today, dubstep has been absorbed into mainstream pop music; it can be heard in the work of artists such as Rihanna, Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Bruno Mars, and many others.
House
House is a genre of electronic music characterized by a repetitive four-on-the-floor beat and a typical tempo of 120 to 130 beats per minute. It was created by disc jockeys (DJs) and music producers in Chicago in the early 1980s. The name House comes from the Warehouse nightclub in Chicago, where House music originated.
House music is often based on soul, disco, and funk samples, and is generally slower and more aggressive than other forms of electronic dance music. It typically features a drum machine, synthesizers, and percussion instruments such as hi-hats and shakers. House tracks often have an astringent, repetitive quality that can be hypnotic or trance-like.
The use of a drum machine is central to House music. Many House tracks feature a distinctive four-on-the-floor beat, which is created by a drum machine playing a Bass Drum on every beat (4 beats per measure). This sparser style of drumming was influenced by Disco and Funk, and became popular in the early 1980s as DJs began to use drum machines to create their own tracks. The Roland TR-808 drum machine was particularly influential in the development of House music; its distinct sound can be heard on many classic House tracks.
Today, House music is one of the most popular genres of electronic dance music, and its sound has been adopted by artists in other genres such as Pop, Hip Hop, and R&B.
Drum and Bass
Drum and bass is a type of electronic music that originated in the late 1980s. It is characterized by fast, breakbeat-oriented drums and basslines. Drum and bass often features samples from other genres, such as reggae, hip hop, and soul.
Trance
Trance is a genre of electronic music that emerged from the rave scene in the early 1990s. Trance music is characterized by a tempo lying between 110–150 beats per minute (BPM), repeating melodic phrases, and a musical form that builds up and down throughout a track. A typical trance track builds up slowly, with the purpose of reaching a climax.
Where to Start
When it comes to learning electronic music, there are a few different places you can start. You can either start with the basics of music theory, or you can start with the basics of electronic music production. If you’re starting from scratch, it might be a good idea to start with the basics of music theory. This will give you a good foundation to build upon.
Finding Electronic Music to Listen To
If you want to start learning electronic music, it is important to find some good music to listen to. This can be difficult, as there are so many different genres and sub-genres of electronic music. However, there are a few ways that you can find some good music to listen to.
One way to find good electronic music to listen to is to ask people who are already into the genre. If you know anyone who is into electronic music, they may be able to recommend some good artists or songs for you to check out. You can also look online for forums or Reddit threads about electronic music. These can be a great way to discover new artists and get recommendations from other people who are into the same type of music as you.
Another way to find good electronic music to listen to is through online radio stations or streaming services. There are a number of websites and apps that offer streaming radio stations that play all kinds of different genres of music. It can be worth exploring some of these options until you find a station or playlist that you really enjoy. You can also look for DJ mixsets online, which are often available for free downloading and provide a great way to discover new electronic music.
Experimenting with making your own Electronic Music
Though it may seem daunting at first, making your own electronic music is a great way to get creative and have fun. If you’re not sure where to start, there are a few things you can do to begin experimentation.
To start, you’ll need some basic equipment. You’ll need a computer with basic audio editing software, as well as a MIDI controller. MIDI controllers come in many different forms, from simple keyboards to more complicated drum pads. You’ll also need some kind of audio interface to connect your controller to your computer. This will allow you to record and edit your music.
Once you have your equipment set up, you can begin experimenting with making your own sounds. Start by creating simple percussion tracks using your MIDI controller. You can then add in other elements like melodies and chord progressions. As you become more comfortable with the process, you can start adding in more complex layers and sound effects.
Making your own electronic music can be a rewarding and fun experience. With a little patience and practice, you can create unique and exciting sounds that will impress your friends and family.
Conclusion
We hope you have enjoyed this guide on how to learn electronic music. Learning this type of music can be great fun and very rewarding. It can be a great way to get into shape, relieve stress, and even connect with other people who share your passion for music.
